E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX (Paperback)

~ Dmx (Author), Smokey D. Fontaine (Author) "MY NAME IS EARL SIMMONS..." (more)
Key Phrases: mix tapes, School Street, New York, New Rochelle (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With lyrics that balance an extremely bleak view of urban ghetto "thug life" with a deep spiritual yearning for communion with God, DMX (Earl Simmons) has produced four consecutive No. 1 releases over the past six years, making him one of the undisputed superstars in the hypercompetitive world of hip-hop. On the eve of his fifth release, DMX (with Fontaine, the former music editor of the leading hip-hop magazine, The Source) has chosen to tell his own version of his already well-publicized life story. Born to a single mother in the projects of Yonkers, N.Y., DMX led a life of "running, robbing, rapping" for his first 25 years, serving numerous jail terms until being discovered by the legendary rap record company Def Jam. But this is no quickie celebrity biography: the obvious model is Claude Brown's Manchild in the Promised Land, the classic tale of the rise and fall and redemption of a tough inner-city youth. Like Brown, DMX is unsparing in describing the details of his hard life, including the brutal beatings he experienced at the hands of his mother and her boyfriends and the ease with which he adapted to his incarcerations ("I was used to sleeping on hard surfaces, used to eating rotten food"). As successful as his best recordings ("It's Dark & Hell Is Hot") in describing the tension between the author's street and spiritual sides, this is a painfully honest account of how one individual overcame "a lifetime of suffering" by discovering and believing in his lyric talent.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Simmons's rise from impoverished child in Yonkers, NY, to successful hip-hop artist DMX known the world over is indeed an inspiring tale. But here the performer, aided by Fontaine (former music editor of The Source magazine), puts a bit too much emphasis on his violent formative years. Readers must wade through endless accounts of fights, beatings, and compromising positions involving the subject before reaching DMX's later critical and commercial success. Curiously, his artistic accomplishments are given only cursory treatment when they deserve much more; only serious fans will be interested in all the minutiae of his life revealed here. Although this is the first book devoted to DMX, libraries would do better to wait for a more balanced treatment. Not recommended. [DMX will release a new album in December, which may generate some demand for this book; because it will attract many YAs, librarians should take into account its graphic content.-Ed.]-Caroline Dadas, Hickory Hills, I.
--Caroline Dadas, Hickory Hills, IL
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: It Books (October 21, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060934034
• ISBN-13: 978-0060934033
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #391,902 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars E.A.R.L.- Ever Always Real Life, November 28, 2003

By	Venessia Young "Mississippi Chocolate Chick" (Ridgeland, MS United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX (Hardcover)

This book was one of the best books that I have ever read, and I am a very avid reader. Most autobiographies read like television documentaries and tend to leave out a lot of stuff. DMX keeps it as raw as could be. Starting out talking about how he constantly still has nightmares,Earl takes us on a journey through Yonkers where he grew up without a father and a mother who didn't care. Growing up people always referred to him as Crazy Earl and problem child, and he made it true for them. Resorting to robbing and stealing, Earl began his incarceration at the age of 10. Going from groups homes to the hole, he found lyrics to help ease all of the pain that he suffered. The only solace in his life came when he found his wife, Tashera, and then he was shown unconditional love. She stuck by his side through his drug addiction and was there for him when he got beaten up so badly his jaws were wired shut for four months. This book is a must read for young boys who think that they want to live a street life. This could also be an eye-opener for a lot of adults who don't understand rappers and "hoodlems. Most of these people don't chose this lifestyle, it chooses them and they have to live with it.

In the words of DMX,
"To live is to suffer, but to survive, well, that's to find meaning in the suffering".

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For true DMX fans, November 11, 2002

By	Neka (Grand Rapids,MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX (Hardcover)

Have you ever wondered about the rage, passion, and intensity of DMX, well this book will answer all your questions and more. I read this book cover to cover in one day--then I read it again! This book is full of ups and downs, slips and falls, and enough sruggle to make you look at your own life and try and find answers to the questions that have always been in the back of your mind. Read this book you will not be disappointed.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A story of the complexities of the American experience...., July 19, 2004

By	Shola Abidoye (Stockholm, Sweden & East Coast, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX (Hardcover)

This book is a story that demonstrates the complexity of the human experience. It provides an insightful and attention-grabbing look into the innerworkings of the American urban experience, highlighting the impact of poverty, unemployment, hopelessness, failure and also perseverence, vision, triumph and success.

I decided to read this book because I saw an interview with DMX that revealed an interesting person who was a loyal and devoted husband and father, a man with depth and a unique message to tell.

While I think the substance of this book is definitely of 5 star calibre, the overall delivery (particularly the language), does not reflect the highly articulate personality that I saw when DMX was interviewed. On the one hand I can understand that the "keep it real" language was used in order to engage readers that may not normally read on a regular basis, I feel like this strategy has some shortcomings. DMX's story deserves to be heard by many and I feel that some readers may be turned off by the language in the book. In the middle of the book, I was tempted to discontinue reading, having reached the point of saturation with regard to the same old four letter words, hyphenated expletives, etc. However, I continued through and was rewarded by the poetic, powerful and thought-provoking ending of the book.

So, that said, I say read this book and digest the fruits of this satisfying life story (and the accompanying lyrics). I hope that more such stories get told and if you are left feeling angry about some of the things that are done to DMX (and that he does as well) and frustrated by the shortfalls of the American experience/dream for many young Americans, suggest the book to a friend.

I hope you find this commentary useful ;).....